Defining Recovery

I believe each and every individual needs to define recovery for themselves.

I feel that anyone affected with an eating disorder to the degree that I am is constantly reminded of it. 
I am constantly striving to accept my body and love it for the way that it is, but I've also accepted the fact that I may never be comfortable in my body.

Recovery is continuing to function successfully and healthy, even though I may never fully accept my body.
Recovery is learning how to deal with emotions.

Recovery means accepting that I may never see my body the way the rest of the world sees it.

Recovery, to me, means that I’m not constantly haunted by urges and thoughts. 

Recovery means that I do not act on urges and thoughts. 

There was a time in my life where everything was eating disordered. Now the thoughts and urges only surface every so often. Recovery, to me, means that I know how to handle the thoughts and urges when they surface. Sometimes I’ll go months without the voice of the eating disorder saying anything, but then I’ll hear it loud and clear the next day. 

Recovery, for me, means I know how to combat the thoughts and urges. I am unsure if I’ll ever be totally free from the thoughts, but I believe in a life not totally ruled by the eating disorder. 

I believe that I can live my life not haunted every second of every day. Define recovery for yourself; I believe in a life not ruled by an eating disorder. This is recovery.